# Perplexity's India revenue rose 60% after Airtel offer ended

Published: 2026-08-18T13:48:21.126Z · Source: TechCrunch AI (https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/18/perplexitys-free-ai-offer-left-it-with-millions-more-users-in-india/)
Source date: 2026-08-18
Entities: perplexity

Perplexity's India revenue rose about 60% from February through mid-August 2026, compared with the period when its free 12-month Pro offer via Airtel was still available to new users, per Sensor Tower data cited by TechCrunch. The July 2025–January 2026 promotion drove 56 million downloads and a peak of 22 million monthly active users; usage has since settled near 14 million MAU, still about 5x pre-deal levels, even as new downloads fell 90% after redemptions closed.

Why it matters: A promotional distribution deal can leave an AI answer engine with a durable, revenue-generating user base long after the free offer ends — a data point for tracking how engines outside the U.S. build audience.

## What this answers

**Did Perplexity's free Airtel offer in India work?**

Yes — per Sensor Tower data cited by TechCrunch, Perplexity's India revenue rose about 60% and monthly active users held near 14 million (5x pre-deal levels) even after free Pro redemptions ended in January 2026.

**How many downloads did Perplexity's Airtel deal in India generate?**

About 56 million downloads over the seven-month promotional period, roughly 9x the prior seven months, according to Sensor Tower figures reported by TechCrunch.


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